A-Z Skincare Glossary ~ B

B

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 * Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata) - Rich in powerful antioxidants which protect skin against free radical damage. It is high Vitamin C content (6 times more than an orange) assists with skin elasticity. Contains Vitamins A and B to firm, tighten and hydrate skin.
 Contains Omegas 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids help maintain the integrity of skin cell membrane.
 

*BB Cream - The BB can stand for Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm or Blemish Base. It can give you a good base for makeup like a primer, even out complexion like a tinted moisturiser, cover minor imperfections and redness like a concealer, hydrate your skin like your day cream, brighten and perk-up a dull complexion and some will even protect with SPF. Some also promise healing, soothing and anti-ageing properties.
 

* Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) -Extract from the common bamboo plant. Like many plant extracts, research has shown it is a source of natural antioxidants and can have skin-soothing properties.

* Barberry - Plant whose primary component, berberine, is an alkaloid that can have antioxidant and some skin-soothing properties.




*Bee Venom - aka 'natures  Botox'. It is a potent combination of enzymes, peptides and amino acids that works on all levels of the skin to encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration, boost collagen formation, accelerate the recovery of damaged skin cells and act as a natural alternative to harsh antibiotic therapy for acne.

*Bentonite - also known as Kaolin or China Clay. Absorbs excess facial oil but if used too often can be drying to the skin.



* Benzoyl Peroxide - A drying, peeling chemical that releases oxygen and acts as an antibacterial on the skin.  For acne lesions it is the preferred topical treatment.  The oxygen that is released plays an important role in fighting the anaerobic bacteria that resides in the acne affected follicles.  The drying and peeling effects of the peroxide treat the acne pustules (which are puss-filled) and open up the comedones (the non-inflammatory lesions such as black heads and white heads).
 

*Beta Carotene -This is essentially Vitamin A, also known as retinol.  It is an antioxidant and helps protect the skin from free radicals when applied topically. 
 

*BHA/Beta Hydroxy Acid - an agent which is molecularly smaller than alpha hydroxy and is used for the removal of dead skin cell layers (exfoliation).  It also plumps up skin like the AHAs, making fine wrinkles less noticeable.  It is good for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin but may cause sensitivity to the sun.
 

* Birch Bark (Betula Alba) - Birch bark refreshes skin and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can have antioxidant properties, but can also have astringent properties, which makes it a potential sensitizer for skin if it is one of the main ingredients in a product.
 

* Bladderwrack extract - Extract derived from seaweed; it can be an effective antioxidant and has water-binding properties for skin.
 

*Botanical - Organic ingredients/products which are derived directly from plants.

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* Brightening - Often seen (along with whitening) on Korean skincare products. This does not mean that it will be bleach your skin but products (most contain natural ingredients) with brightening or whitening properties can help to fade scars, dark spots and even out skin tone. For a most exhaustive explanation, see this excellent article on Soko Glam.
 

*Burdock - A root extract known to be an alternative, a diuretic and a bitter.  It is an antibacterial used in the treatment of skin conditions such as rashes, redness, acne, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. 

Products

Products containing Baobab Oil:
African Botanics -  Fleurs d'Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil (1 fl oz $250)
Akoma - Baobab Oil (30 ml £3.94)
bareMinerals - Externalixir Skin Volumizing Oil Serum (30 ml £38)

Products containing Bamboo extract:
TonyMoly - Panda's Dream White Magic Cream (50g £10.83)
Pixi - Sun Mist (80ml £18)
Dewytree - Bamboo Soothing Gel (250ml £10.58)

Products containing Barberry:
Mizon - Natural Seed Bal-Hyo Ampoule Serum (30ml £19.50)
Mizon - Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule (30ml £30)

Products containing Bee Venom:
Nip + Fab Bee Sting Deluxe Cream (50ml £9.95)
Manuka Doctor -ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask (50ml £36.49)
Rodial - Bee Venom Cleansing Balm (100ml £65)
Benton - Snail Bee High Content Essence (60ml £17.00)

Products containing Benzoyl Peroxide:
Neutrogena - Visibly Clear Moisturiser (50ml £4.25)
La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Duo + (40ml £16)
Paula's Choice - Clear Cleanser (trial size 30ml £5)
Murad - Blemish Control Spot Treatment (15ml £15)
Kiehl's - Blue Herbal Moisturiser (100ml £26.50)

Products containing Beta Hydroxy Acids:
Benton Aloe HA Skin Toner (200ml £16)
First Aid - Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (60 pads £19)
Neutrogena -Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Triple Action Cleanser (100ml £3.29)
Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (Trial size 30ml £8)

Products containing Bladderwrack Extract:
Kora Organics By Miranda Kerr - Soothing Day and Night Cream (50ml £53)
Dr Organic - Dead Sea Mineral Skin Lotion (200ml £7.29)

Products containing Burdock Root:
Blithe- Vital Treatment Essence (150ml £38)
Dermalogica - Active Moist (100ml £35.99)
Sundari - Neem and Burdock cream-gel cleanser (120ml £32)